The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government has chalked out elaborate programmes across the country to celebrate the victory day on December 16 at an inter-ministerial meeting held on Tuesday.

The meeting was organized by the Liberation War Affairs Ministry at its conference room here Tuesday with Adviser Major General (retd) M A Matin in the chair.

The meeting formed different committees and sub-committees and distributed responsibilities among the concerned divisions, departments and organisations for organizing the programmes. The day, to be heralded with 31 gun salutes before the Sun rise, will be a public holiday.

The programmes include publishing the speeches of the President and the Chief Adviser in all national dailies, hoisting of national flag at all government and private offices, placing of wreaths at the National Mausoleum, illuminating public buildings and decorating roads and islands with flags and festoons in all cities of the country.

The President and the Chief Adviser will place wreaths at the national mausoleum in the morning on the day. Later, the freedom fighters will place wreath led by the Adviser for Liberation War Affairs Ministry.

The other programmes include parade of the youths at Bangabandhu National Stadium here. Parades by freedom fighters, BNCC, Police, Ansar-VDP, Bangladesh Scouts, Girls guide and different educational and social organizations in all districts and upazila sadars except Dhaka. Army, Navy, Air force, BDR, police, Ansar and VDP bands will play patriotic tunes at different places of the capital.

The Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) will organize receptions for the freedom fighters in their respective areas.

Besides, different sports events will be organized at district and upazila level. The Shilpakala Academy, Shishu Academy and Bangla Academy will organize cultural functions on their premises to mark the day.

The Liberation War Affairs Ministry will arrange discussion and national level essay competition across the country.

Newspapers will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Television and Betar as well as private TV channels will put up special programmes on the day.

Besides, students will be allowed to enjoy films based on the liberation war without ticket at cinema halls in all districts and upazilas and documentary films will be screened under open places across the country on the day.

Special diets will be served in hospitals, jails and vagrant centres. Special prayers will be offered in all masques, temples, churches and pagodas seeking divine blessings for peace and progress of the country and the people.

The meeting formed committee to celebrate the Victory Day- 2007 with Liberation War Affairs Secretary as its convener.

The General Officer Commanding of 9th infantry division of the Bangladesh army was made convener for the committee for giving salute and placing wreath at National Mausoleum.